What Do Construction Carpenters Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Construction Carpenters construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, and wallboard, using carpenter’s hand tools and power tools. They also follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.

Other tasks include:

• Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required.
• Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
• Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
• Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters’ hand or power tools.
• Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level.
• Select and order lumber or other required materials.

We asked Construction Carpenters how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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60% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Construction Carpenters maintain records, document actions, and present written progress reports. They measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.

A typical day for a Construction Carpenter will also include:

• Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
• Select and order lumber or other required materials.
• Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.
• Study specifications in blueprints, sketches, or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required.
• Install structures or fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, trim, or hardware, using carpenters’ hand or power tools.

We asked some Construction Carpenters a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	81% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	67% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	86% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	35% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	14% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	78% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Construction Carpenters also prepare cost estimates for clients or employers. They may also cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, or wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Construction Carpenters Fill cracks or other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool. They might also Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas, such as heating or electrical wiring work.

In addition, they Erect scaffolding or ladders for assembling structures above ground level.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Select and order lumber or other required materials.

To some Construction Carpenters, it is also their responsibility to Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and repair or replace, using hand tools.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Construction Carpenter, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/construction-and-extraction/carpenters.htm

http://www.agc.org/

http://www.nahb.org/

http://www.carpenters.org/